They're Back..

[The deacon]

The first thing I noticed about Caroline when seeing her up close in person is just how tall and "lanky" she is. Almost takes you aback.

Agreed, Huskee11. I knew she was 6'2" before I got to talk with her before a game last winter at the XL Center, but the reality that I've shrunk in old age from about 6' tall to maybe 5'10 1/2" hit home when we stood face to face and she towered above me.

That said, it also gives me hope she'll get to play some basketball for the Huskies this winter; I'm hoping and praying for that anyway!

 

[RoadMaster]

Swipe..

 

[Huskee11]

Good signs there with Ayanna!

She adds a different dimenson. I remember the DePaul game at Gampel in January 2023, when Ayanna as a first year was able to hold her own against Aneesah Morrow.

If she is healthy she will get meaningful minutes. Would love to see her covering Iriafen when USC comes to town.

 

[Dugway]

Couple months ago viewing pictures I thought that Ayanna had possibly lost a bunch of weight and muscle mass.

Looking at these pics, it sure appears that she could bench press more than Paige. And I am not sure how much Paige even weighs!

130 maybe? Almost certainly Ayanna presses at least a plate; probably multiple reps with that! So ya, easily more than Paige!

Sure hope the knee problem is in her past for good!

 

[Skeets]

Agreed, Huskee11. I knew she was 6'2" before I got to talk with her before a game last winter at the XL Center, but the reality that I've shrunk in old age from about 6' tall to maybe 5'10 1/2" hit home when we stood face to face and she towered above me.

That said, it also gives me hope she'll get to play some basketball for the Huskies this winter; I'm hoping and praying for that anyway!

Very sad. I used to be 6'2". One of the last games UConn football played on campus, I stood eyeball to eyeball with Taurasi who was holding court outside the fence. I was impressed with how tall she was (maybe 6'0"). Since then I'm sure I haven't gotten any taller.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

Seeing a shot of Caroline, my favorite player, on the court gives me hope. When we get to see her in a scrimmage video, I will definitely rejoice.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

Very excited to see Ayanna and Carol play in some capacity on the court again. Prayers up for success as they continue to recover!

 

[ashfan]

The key to the 2024-2025 season is obviously their health, but the outlook of the potential scoring is mind blowing!
Just MHO the scoring possibilities:
KK 12-15 pts.
Paige 25 to 28 pts.
Jana 15-18 pts.
Quadence 6 to 8 pts.
Allie 6 pts.
Ashlynn 12-15 pts.
Kaitlyn 12-15 pts.
Sarah 15-18 pts.
Morgan 6 pts.
Ice 10-12 pts.
Caroline 12-15 pts. (If completely healthy)
Ayanna 5-7 pts. (If completely healthy)
Azzi 20-25 pts. (If completely healthy)
Aubrey 12-15 pts. (If completely healthy)
168 taking the lowest number!
Totally over-the-top but I really think the potential for an average of 100 points per game is an outside possibility!
No other Division I WBB team has this potential!

Ash12 should be good for 14-20, especially if Coach goes easy on Azzi. Maybe a couple more than 12-15 for KK, a couple fewer for Kaitlyn.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Couple months ago viewing pictures I thought that Ayanna had possibly lost a bunch of weight and muscle mass.

Looking at these pics, it sure appears that she could bench press more than Paige. And I am not sure how much Paige even weighs!

130 maybe? Almost certainly Ayanna presses at least a plate; probably multiple reps with that! So ya, easily more than Paige!

Sure hope the knee problem is in her past for good!

I see Paige listed at 140. I bet she's over that, with all her added muscle. Recall that she's 6'0".

 

[MSGRET]

Doesn't official practices start something like 40 days prior to the first regular season game? So that means that it should be in about 10 to 14 days from today.

 

[Tonyc]

It is very encouraging to see Caroline. I can only imagine Paige Azzi Chen and Caroline from outside. Automatic Now that would be an Ariel attack like no other team and I havent even mentioned anybody else. When you look at the top team in WCBB and you hear about their top outside shooters and then look at UConns. We have alot more outside shooters that would start then any other team. OMG this is amazin

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Kerry Bascom wiki: Single season scoring average (22.6 in 88–89; 20.5 in 89–90; 20.0 in 90–91)

Not sure if Rebecca Lobo commits to UConn, if Kerry Bascom's teams did not make the NCAA's in each of those three years, and ran all the way to the Final Four for Lobo to join the team in 91-92...

Thank God Geno & CD stayed when Lobo committed, otherwise the Evil Orange Empire would have had at least 4 more NC's. That would be nearly intolerable...

 

[Cuango]

That would be intolerable!

Fixed your post!

 

[Alydar]

Couple months ago viewing pictures I thought that Ayanna had possibly lost a bunch of weight and muscle mass.

Looking at these pics, it sure appears that she could bench press more than Paige. And I am not sure how much Paige even weighs!

130 maybe? Almost certainly Ayanna presses at least a plate; probably multiple reps with that! So ya, easily more than Paige!

Sure hope the knee problem is in her past for good!

Patterson owned the weight room as a freshman according to her team mates, and it wasn't close. She is a perfect example of a player who played in a weak HS conference and had weak team skills. Her athleticism is in Gabby's class and she is 2 inches taller. Despite her need to develop more she has a pro-level body already. She is strong enough to body up on nearly anyone and runs the floor like a guard.

 

[Dogstar]

It is very encouraging to see Caroline. I can only imagine Paige Azzi Chen and Caroline from outside. Automatic Now that would be an Ariel attack like no other team and I havent even mentioned anybody else. When you look at the top team in WCBB and you hear about their top outside shooters and then look at UConns. We have alot more outside shooters that would start then any other team. OMG this is amazin

Tonyc...id like to know wht you and some of the others consider a respectful 3-pt shooting average....high 30s? 40-45? 45-50?

 

[Alydar]

Tonyc...id like to know wht you and some of the others consider a respectful 3-pt shooting average....high 30s? 40-45? 45-50?

That depends on how many shots they take/game. A player who takes 1.5 three's a game is only taking wide open catch and shoot shots should average over 40%. It's not much different from a ft. KML, Senechal, Bueckers and Fudd all flirted with 50% well into seasons. A lot of that was due to there being other offensive options on the team. Players who take 15 three's per game can be effective at 35%.

I think UConn has several "take the last shot" 3pt shooters. Bueckers, Fudd, Strong, Ducharme and Ziebell. They can play every position on the court. Five shooters of their caliber on one roster may be unprecedented.

 

[Geew1992]

 

[bantamlaker]

Quite a bit to like in this short clip. Definitely recommended viewing for all BYers in need of seeing more of our team in action.

 

[oldude]

Tonyc...id like to know wht you and some of the others consider a respectful 3-pt shooting average....high 30s? 40-45? 45-50?

34% which equates to 51% from inside the arc. Plus, when you consider longer rebounds on missed 3-pt shots, there's a better opportunity for the offense to get another shot.

just my 2cents.

 

[Bills Fan]

That depends on how many shots they take/game. A player who takes 1.5 three's a game is only taking wide open catch and shoot shots should average over 40%. It's not much different from a ft. KML, Senechal, Bueckers and Fudd all flirted with 50% well into seasons. A lot of that was due to there being other offensive options on the team. Players who take 15 three's per game can be effective at 35%.

I think UConn has several "take the last shot" 3pt shooters. Bueckers, Fudd, Strong, Ducharme and Ziebell. They can play every position on the court. Five shooters of their caliber on one roster may be unprecedented.

And Ash isn't far behind the players you mentioned.

 

[Bone Dog]

I love seeing them in practice almost as much as in games. I imagine most of us feel the same way. It's not just that they're great athletes. It's also that we've gotten to see their personalities, their wit and humor, their grit and determination. When we see them in action, we bring all that extra understanding to what we're seeing.

Jana Sarah Ayanna: OMG, does it make me happy to see them moving around the court with force and energy.
Paige KK Kaitlyn Ash: just watching the intensity when they have a ball and a defender is delightful.
Aubrey Allie Morgan Ice Q Caroline Azzi: they are like presents under the tree on Christmas morning waiting for a chance to surprise us all.

 

[Bigboote]

I’m just elated to see Caroline evidently in full-practice mode.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

Tonyc...id like to know wht you and some of the others consider a respectful 3-pt shooting average....high 30s? 40-45? 45-50?

Respectful average ... high 30s. Anything above 42% is fantastic, and 45-50% would be out of this world.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

I love seeing them in practice almost as much as in games. I imagine most of us feel the same way. It's not just that they're great athletes. It's also that we've gotten to see their personalities, their wit and humor, their grit and determination. When we see them in action, we bring all that extra understanding to what we're seeing.

Jana Sarah Ayanna: OMG, does it make me happy to see them moving around the court with force and energy.
Paige KK Kaitlyn Ash: just watching the intensity when they have a ball and a defender is delightful.
Aubrey Allie Morgan Ice Q Caroline Azzi: they are like presents under the tree on Christmas morning waiting for a chance to surprise us all.

Wow! That is very well said. I like it very much.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think Ayanna travels and then double-dribbles, but otherwise, I like the way she is moving.

 

[MilfordHusky]

KML, Senechal, Bueckers and Fudd all flirted with 50% well into seasons. A lot of that was due to there being other offensive options on the team.

The top 10 seasons for UConn:

1. .497 Sue
2. .496 MoJeff
3. .492 KML
4. .482 KML
5. .476 Kerry
6. .475 Katie Lou
7. .473 Kris Lamb
8. .466 Sue
9. .464 Paige
10. .462 Kia

Others:

Azzi: .430
Paige: .416
Lou/Chica: .440

 

[MilfordHusky]

I can only imagine Paige Azzi Chen and Caroline from outside. Automatic Now that would be an Ariel attack like no other team and I havent even mentioned anybody else.

Are we playing in the Mermaid League this year?

 

[GirlBoo1020]

Curious if anyone knows what is around Carol's head and wrists? Looks like some sort of concussion protection gear but I am not familiar with that world.

 

[oldude]

The top 10 seasons for UConn:

1. .497 Sue
2. .496 MoJeff
3. .492 KML
4. .482 KML
5. .476 Kerry
6. .475 Katie Lou
7. .473 Kris Lamb
8. .466 Sue
9. .464 Paige
10. .462 Kia

Others:

Azzi: .430
Paige: .416
Lou/Chica: .440

One qualifier. The 3-pt line for women was moved back to the men’s 3-pt line for the 2021-22 season.

 

[stamfordhusky]

34% which equates to 51% from inside the arc. Plus, when you consider longer rebounds on missed 3-pt shots, there's a better opportunity for the offense to get another shot.

just my 2cents.

That leaves out one factor. Players attempting two points shots draw far more fouls than players attempting three point shots. That is a significant factor. Not only does this generate extra points, but it also gets the other teams players in foul trouble and also gets a team to the bonus faster.

One good source in studying this issue is Pomeroy’s true shooting percentage, which incorporates the value of free throws drawn. According to his numbers, there is a huge advantage in effective shooting percentage for players who take shots in the paint.